TAMIU International Student Numbers Defy National Trends

While national trends show a sharp decrease or slow
growth rate in international students enrolling in
U.S. colleges and universities, Texas A&M International
University has observed a 17 percent increase in international
students on its campus between 2002 and 2003.

According to a recent CNN.com report, the number of
foreign students attending U.S. colleges increased
by less than 1 percent between 2002 and 2003, indicating
the lowest growth rate in seven years.

Tightened visa procedures enacted after the 2001 terrorist
attacks, which have delayed the entry of many foreigners
into the United States, contributed to the low growth
rate, the CNN report states.

David VerMilyea, director of International Student
Services, said a key reason to TAMIU's international
student growth can be attributed to the fact that it
issues documentation early so that students can obtain
visas in their home countries in a timely manner.

"We issue the I-20 in advance, which is the document
that says that a student applying to TAMIU meets our
entry criteria," VerMilyea said, "Our students
are able to get their clearances early, therefore,
they are able to meet the enrollment deadline."

"We have a lot of electronic contacts with students
to help them understand what our institution is all
about and to begin the early transition into cultural
adjustment," he said.

TAMIU has seen an increase from 193 international students
in 2002 to 226 in 2003, said Mary Treviño, associate
vice president for Academic Affairs. The largest groups
of students come from Mexico and India, with 145 and
55 students enrolled respectively this Fall. The majority
are pursuing business degrees.

Dr. Tom Corti, vice president for Student Affairs,
said TAMIU's international student increase could be
attributed to multiple reasons.

"One of the reasons is that we have programs and
services that students are interested in," Dr.
Corti said, "Our College of Business and others
are attracting students overseas, and a lot of it has
to do with word of mouth because you will see a large
number of these students concentrating on a particular
program of study."

Corti said many international students also feel welcome
at TAMIU and in Laredo.

"That says a lot about whether or not a student
stays here," he said, "Students also see
us growing, feel the excitement and electricity on
our campus, and they want to be a part of that."

However, Dr. Michael Gold-Biss, TAMIU assistant vice
president for International Programs, said that while
the increase is positive, the University would like
to see a greater jump in international student numbers.

"The increase we've seen is small compared to
what we'd like to see," he said.

He agreed that the University's international student
recruitment has been affected by the post-Sept. 11
regulations.

"We have felt significantly the impact of the
greater obstacles that have been placed for our international
students by the federal government," Gold-Biss
said.

Gold-Biss said TAMIU works closely with the Department
of Homeland Security to follow all guidelines while
helping its students process their paperwork in an
expeditious manner.

"What we are trying to do is to very carefully
work with the student and all federal authorities to
make sure that there is a timely processing of paperwork,"
he said, "We try to plan ahead and work with a
very generous timeline to help us assist students with
delays. But part of it depends on the fact that we
have students who have been recruiting other students
who are willing to face the obstacle."

Gold-Biss said students also know the University is
willing to help.

"There is a lot of good will on the part of our
students because they recognize that TAMIU is an institution
that would like to work with them," he said, "We
put all of the resources available at the service of
students to make sure that we help them as much as
we can."

Sudheer Devarashetty, a master's in business administration student from Hyderabad,
India, said that prior to applying to TAMIU, he had applied to another university,
only to have his visa application rejected twice at the U.S. Consulate in India.
(photo)

"My visa application got rejected because I didn't
have a research assistant position offered to me at
that university," he said, explaining that it
is extremely difficult for a student in India to obtain
a visa to study in the United States without some proof
of financial sustainability once in the United States.

What allowed Devarashetty to finally obtain a visa
was a fellowship TAMIU offered to him, he said.

"Once I got the I-20 from TAMIU, I went to the
U.S. Consulate and got approved," he said smiling.

Devarashetty agreed with Gold-Biss that word of mouth
plays a crucial role in recruiting international students.

"How do other students know about TAMIU? I tell
my friend back home and he tells 10 other students,"
Devarashetty said, "Earlier, nobody in Hyderabad
knew about TAMIU."

While at TAMIU, Devarashetty has also earned a master's
degree in information systems.

"I want to get a good job, and work somewhere
that pays me well. That's why I'm getting two masters,"
he said.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information
Services at 326-2180, e-mail pais@tamiu.edu
or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu